Deadly Digital in Townsville Libraries

Deadly Digital Communities (DDC) is a new digital literacy program which is being delivered to Queensland’s remote and regional Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. Indigenous Knowledge Centres (IKCs) and selected public libraries are facilitating the program whereby participants can learn about everything from searching the internal to using social media.

Townsville City Libraries is one of the public libraries delivering DDC training to their Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population The project model seeks local people to nominate themselves as Deadly Digital Champions to assist with delivering the free training in consultation with State Library and the community.

Janeese Henaway, Indigenous Resource Officer, Townsville City Libraries is the contact officer nominated to lead the implementation across the three library branches, and Ms Henaway will be supported by Lesley Acres, Program Officer, Indigenous and Regional Library Services, Public Library Partnership, SLQ.

During a recent trip to Townsville, Ms Acres met with staff from Townsville City Libraries, representatives from the local community and key organisations/services to further promote the purpose of DDC. Discussions were held with library staff identifying suitable digital training to be delivered as well as identifying areas of support from SLQ. DDC training will coincide with the current range of digital training being delivered by Townsville City Libraries across Library branches.

An outreach training plan will be delivered (to be developed by Ms Henaway and Townsville City Libraries staff in consultation with key stakeholders) as there are a high percentage of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who live in rural areas of Townsville which are too far away from the three library branches.

A soft launch was held on Friday, 24 November at the Thuringowa Branch which was an informal gathering of representatives from Indigenous organisations, Telstra, Townsville City Council, Bwgcolman IKC – Palm Island, Townsville City library staff and community members. During the launch, an Elder nominated to be the Deadly Digital Champion for Seniors as she is an active member of the community who also hosts a Yarning Circle.

Deadly Digital Communities is an initiative of the State Library of Queensland Telstra in partnership with Indigenous Knowledge Centres, Indigenous Councils and public libraries. For more information, please contact Janeese Henaway, Indigenous Library Resources Officer, CityLibraries, Townsville on 07 47738817 or by email at Janeese.henaway@townsville.qld.gov.au.